Arms ’pen bad ending

Credit: AP (File)

Red Sox relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon pumps his fist after striking out Tampa Bay Rays’ Evan Longoria to end the game during Boston’s 4-3 win in a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Friday, Sept. 16, 2011. (File)

When it came to the 2011 Red Sox bullpen, we were sold a false bill of goods. In spring training, the biggest question actually was whether closer Jonathan Papelbon would keep his job, a notion that seems ridiculous eight months later. The Red Sox supposedly were blessed with an embarrassment of riches, from Bobby Jenks to Dan Wheeler to Daniel Bard.

The reality proved far different. Papelbon was one of the few certainties, even he ended up blowing two huge games down the stretch, including the season finale in Baltimore.

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